John Partridge has revealed how he was diagnosed with testicular cancer 14 years ago but he kept it secret – even from his own mum – as he was too embarrassed to talk about it.
But now the former EastEnders star said he’s finally ready to open up – and he hopes his honesty will help other men feeling the way he did.
He’s even prepared to bare all following an operation to remove a testicle, as he takes part in ITV’s The Real Full Monty Live.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain about why he kept quiet about his diagnosis for so long, he said: “As a man, I’d lost part of that, my sexuality, my virility, my masculinity. You remove a testicle – it was a long operation, I had over 120 stitches, there’s a scar, it doesn’t look particularly pretty for somebody like me.”
He added: “I know there are lots of other people like me. I know there will be lots of other guys that have had this like me and have never spoken about it.”
He hopes by being open about it now and taking part in The Real Full Monty Live, along with other celebs including James Argent, Jeff Brazier and Ainsley Harriott, he can encourage other men to check themselves and not to be embarrassed to seek help if they need it.
Read more: Kym Marsh reveals “scary” illness that led to brain scan – and no diagnosis
The 46-year-old actor said he was lucky his cancer was discovered when he was having treatment for a hernia.
He said: “I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2004. I went in for a hernia operation and it was found. I had a tumour the size of a grapefruit. I had no pain, I didn’t realise it was there.
“Had I not had this surgery for something else, who knows what would have happened.”
He said at first he felt too ashamed and embarrassed to tell anyone about it. He also feared he could lose work as his roles often involve playing a “fit and healthy guy” and being able to handle touring the country with live shows.
John, who played Jane Beale’s brother Christian in Albert Square, said he now feels “terrible” that he kept it secret from his mum, who died last year.
He said: “Her parting gift to me was me addressing a lot of things in my life and this was part of that.”
He added that he felt the time was right to finally share his story as he takes part in The Real Full Monty Live, which airs on ITV on Wednesday evening (there’s also a female edition airing on Thursday).
“I’ve gone through a lot of changes over the last 12 months and this is part of that, part of letting go of the person that I was in a way and embracing somebody I knew a long time ago,” he explained.
He said viewers will “see everything, the full package” in the routine choreographed by Ashley Banjo, which has been inspired by the hit Nineties film.
John said: “When we are doing The Real Full Monty Live tomorrow night, binoculars optional everybody, we want men up and down the country to examine themselves. Ladies, wives, boyfriends, husbands, cop a feel, have a look, check yourselves.”
The Real Full Monty Live is on ITV Wednesday at 9pm. Good Morning Britain is on ITV weekdays at 6am-8.30am.
How do you feel bout John’s story? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.